Special day to remember the brave Anzac legacy

THE actions of Australian and NZ forces during World War I’s Gallipoli campaign left a powerful legacy.

The “Anzac legend”, inspired by that bloody campaign, has become an important part of the identity of both nations, shaping Australia’s views of the past and the future.

Anzac Day commemorations have been held since 1916, and the Australian War Memorial continues this tradition, commemorating not only the Anzacs, but the courage and sacrifice of all Australian servicemen and women during periods of war and peace.

Held on April 25 of each year, Anzac Day was initially created to honour the members of the Australian and NZ Army Corps (Anzac) who fought at Gallipoli during World War I. Now, Anzac Day is also recognised in the Cook Islands, Niue, Pitcairn Islands and Tonga.

Photo: AWM

Thousands join to remember

EVERY Anzac Day, thousands of people join together at the Australian War Memorial to pay tribute to and remember those who have served in all conflicts.

This year marks the 104th anniversary since soldiers landed on Gallipoli’s beaches and the Australian War Memorial says it’s proud to host commemorations on April 25.

“Anzac Day goes beyond the anniversary of the landing on Gallipoli in 1915,” says Australian War Memorial director Dr Brendan Nelson.

“It is the day on which we remember all Australians who served and died in war and on operational service past and present.

“The spirit of Anzac, with its qualities of courage, mateship and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity.”

Anzac Day at the Australian War Memorial will begin at 5.30am with a quiet, reflective and reverential dawn service, which will include a commemorative address delivered by Cpl Mark Donaldson.

From 10.30am to 12.30pm is the national ceremony. It’ll be a traditional order of service including a commemorative address, wreath laying, hymns, the sounding of the last post, observance of one minute’s silence, and the national anthems of Australia and New Zealand.

This year’s commemorative address will be delivered by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove.

To conclude the day’s commemorations is a special last post ceremony, which this year will tell the story of Sgt Charles James Backman, who was killed on the first day of the Gallipoli campaign.

Hotel offers lots to do on Anzac Day

JUST a five-minute walk from the Australian War Memorial, Mercure Canberra is a great location to warm up after the dawn service, or relax after the National Ceremony, says general manager Patina Farnham.

Starting from 6am Mercure Canberra will have egg and bacon rolls, hot and cold drinks in the car park, a shotgun breakfast operating in Olims Bar and Bistro as well as a buffet breakfast in the courtyard restaurant.

Then, from noon, the front car park will be alive with food stalls and pop-up bars and two-up, which will be followed by the local band, Back to the Eighties.

“You need to be there early to get a spot at the front,” she says.

With a vibrant atmosphere, Patina says Anzac Day at Mercure Canberra is always a melting pot of people from all walks of life coming together to remember the Anzacs and say thanks for the sacrifices made both on that day and still to this day.

“It’s important for the Mercure to commemorate Anzac Day as this significant part of Australian history has shaped our nation to what it currently is,” she says.

“Without our Anzacs we may not be living the amazing lives as Aussies that we currently do.”

Who Can You Trust?

In a world beleaguered by spin and confused messages, there's never been more need for diverse, trustworthy, independent journalism in Canberra.

Who can you trust? Well, for more than 25 years, "CityNews" has proudly been an independent, free, family-owned news magazine, serving the national capital with quality, integrity and authority. Through our weekly magazine and daily through our digital platforms, we constantly and reliably deliver high-quality and diverse opinion, news, arts, socials and lifestyle columns.

If you trust our work online and believe in the power of independent voices, I encourage you to make a small contribution.

Every dollar of support will be invested back into our journalism so we can continue to provide a valuably different view of what's happening around you and keep citynews.com.au free.

Click here to make your donation and you will be supporting the future of journalism and media diversity in the ACT.